Noise producing device

ABSTRACT

Means for imitating the noises of an automobile engine for use in toy vehicles which include a simulated accelerator pedal as an adjusting means, an electric motor, a noise producing device driven by the motor under control of the pedal which is adjustable to change the frequency and the sound volume of the noise produced by the device.

llnited States Patent [191 Roslen [451 May 29, 1973 1 NOISE PRODUCINGDEVICE [75] Inventor: Georg Roslen, Nurnberg, Germany [73] Assignee:Schuco-Spielwarenwerke Schreyer &

Co., Nurnberg, Germany [22] Filed: Dec. 22, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 211,009

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 24, 1970 Germany ..P 20 63882.8

[52] US. Cl. ..46/232, 46/243 M [51] Int. Cl. ..A-63h 33/26 [58] Fieldof Search ..46/243, 232, 1 17, 46/175 R [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS Floyd et a1 ..46/232 3,080,678 3/1963 Girz ..46/2323,160,984 12/1964 Ryan ..46/232 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS1,010,685 10/1965 Great Britain ..46/232 Primary ExaminerLouis G.Mancene Assistant ExaminerRobert F. Cutting Attorney-Robert H. Jacob[57] ABSTRACT Means for imitating the noises of an automobile engine foruse in toy vehicles which include a simulated accelerator pedal as anadjusting means, an electric motor, a noise producing device driven bythe motor under control of the pedal which is adjustable to change thefrequency and the sound volume of the noise produced by the device.

11 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENIH] MAY 2 91975.

SHEET 1 BF 3 PAIENIm-ww 3'. 735.529

SHEET 3 [1F 3 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to noiseproducing devices for the toy industry. More in particular the inventionconcerns a device driven by an electric motor for producing motor orengine noises on toy vehicles. It is known to provide an electricallyoperated resistance control for the electro-motor drive of the noiseproducing device which is actuated by a separate manual operating meanson a toy vehicle. This provides for the playing child only an incompletereproduction of the actual occurrences that take place in the real lifeart. The operating member provided on the known device, which is arotatable knob is unrealistic. In addition to that this device is verycomplicated and therefore expensive, as well as subject to failure orbreak down.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly the invention is concerned with theproblem to provide for the playing child with simple means anarrangementfor imitating the noises that develop when the engine isstarted and when the vehicle is actually set in motion.

In order to solve this problem the invention provides a control devicethat imitates a gas operating pedal or lever which is in the form of aslide, in order to change the frequency of the noise producing device.

The device for changing the frequency of the noise affords thepossibility for the playing child to make the engine of his vehicle roarsuch as is the case in actual life as the vehicle starts out. Theillusion is complete because the device is a copy of an actualaccelerator pedal or lever.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention aninterrupter contact arrangement or other stopping device may beprovided, which as the door is opened switches on the noise producingdevice, or makes possible the operating thereof, and turns off or stopsthe noise producing device as the door is closed. This providesdifferent possibilities of play for the child. As in real life he mustfirst open his car door in order to be able to produce an engine noise.In accordance with another embodiment of the invention it is possiblethat, as the door is opened the engine for producing the noise isconnected to the battery by way of a resistor that reducesits potentialso that the engine and the noise producing device which it drives rotateonly at a low speed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further features and advantages of theinvention will become apparent from the following description ofembodiments illustrated in the drawings, in which FIG. 1 shows aperspective view of a first embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section of the interrupter contact device,

FIG. 3 is a top view of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a further embodiment,

FIG. 5 shows a modification of the interrupter circuit,

FIGS. 6-8 are further variations of the invention,

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration showing the principle of installing adevice in accordance with the invention in the chassis of a toy vehicle,and

FIG. 10 is an illustration similar to FIG. 9, but with a differentmechanically acting stopping arrangement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The engine or motor 1 of the noiseproducing device is shown in FIG. 1, on the running shaft 2 of which afriction disc 3 is firmly mounted. The engine 1 is slidable transverselyto its longitudinal direction by means of slide 4, 5, component 5 ofwhich is a copy of a gas operating lever. It is mounted in a suitablemanner in the passenger space of the vehicle (see also FIGS. 9 and 10)and it can be actuated by the playing child. The resetting of the engineto its starting position is effected with a spring 6.

The friction wheel 8 and a beating member support 9 of the noiseproducing device are mounted on an axle or shaft 7, which is rotatablymounted in bearing 10. When the axle is rotated, the movable beatermembers or clappers 11 of the support 9 beat against the sound member12. Depending on the speed of the axle 7 they produce in this manner alow or a high sound. The speed of the axle can be varied by moving themotor 1 back and forth by means of the slide 4, 5. Although the engineruns at constant speed, the speed of the wheel 8 changes in accordancewith its distance from the center point of the friction disc 3 andtherefore the resulting circumferential speeds. A friction coupling ofthis type is very robust and simple.

In this embodiment the shaft 7 is journalled nonslidably in the bearing10. It would, of course, also be possible to make the arrangement in theopposite sense, by mounting the engine 1 in a fixed, non-slidableposition and by means of a slide make the shaft 7 slidable together withthe friction wheel 8 and the noise producing device 9, 11, 12.

The engine 1 can be connected to the battery 17 and thus started to runby opening the door of the vehicle which is not shown here, but in FIG.9. For this purpose a contact means 13 is provided, having a contacttongue 14 firmly mounted on the base plate 20 and conductively connectedwith a contact clamp. The

other clamp of the contact means 13 leads to a resilient contact tongue15 which, when the door is open engages contact 14, and thus places apotential on the engine, while with the door closed it is raised by itspressure lug 21 from the contact 14 as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1.Thus, with the door open the engine first runs at constant speed,preferably at low speed by connecting a resistor 16 in the line as shownin FIG. 5. Inasmuch as the slide 4, 5 is not yet operated during thisstarting operation, the distance from the center of the disc 3 isrelatively small and thus the noise produced is relatively low and ofslow frequency. If the door is closed, contacts 14, 15 are separatedfrom one another, the engine stands still and the noise stops. Referencenumerals 18 and 19 identify the housing for the battery and its contactsprings, respectively.

Besides the interrupter contacts l4, 15 a starting contact 24 may alsobe provided, which in accordance with FIG. 5 is directly connected tothe terminal clamp of the engine 1, and not by way of a resistor 16 asis the contact 14. Contact 24 is preferably located proximate to theinterrupter contacts 14, 15 and is briefly closed as the door is opened.For this purpose a cam 38" or the like on the door can effect during ashort phase of the opening movement pressing of the contact tongue 15against the contact 24. By means of this brief application of fullpotential to the engine 1 its starting is greatly facilitated. If atstandstill it were connected to the battery by way of the resistor 16,i.e. it would only receive a partial potential, that could result instarting difficulties.

In accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 4 the slide 4, 5 can alsocooperate with a sliding spring 23, or it can form a unitary componenttherewith. The spring 23 slides over a variable resistor 22. Dependingon the position of the spring relative to the resistor 22 a differentpotential and therefore a different speed is imparted to the engine 1,as a result of which the speed of the beating member support is changedand high or low sounds are produced. Also in this embodimenttheinterrupter contact arrangement 13, 14, in accordance with FIGS. 1-3 canbe provided.

The concept of the invention to change the frequency of the sound of theengine of a power driven vehicle by displacing the gas operating levermay also be realized in accordance with the example of FIG. 6 asfollows:

The beating member support 9 is driven by the engine at a constantspeed. The clappers are identified at 11. A membrane having threemembers 24 26 is moved to the right or to the left as indicated by thearrows by means of a slide which is not indicated here, but which isanalogous to the slide 4, S in the previous embodiments. The membraneparts 24, 25, 26 are constituted in such a manner that as the clappers11 beat against them sounds of different frequencies are produced.Depending on which membrane part is beaten against by the clappers, acorresponding sound is produced. It is, of course, also possible toprovide more than three membranes.

The frequency of the engine noise produced, in this embodiment the speedof rotation of the beating clappers, can be furthermore changed in thatdifferent potentials are supplied to the drive motor for the noiseproducing means. This can be done in a manner that two batteries ofdifferent potential, for example 1.5 Volts and 3 Volts are connected tothe motor one after the other. In this connection the potential of thefirst battery can again be subdivided by means of a resistor. For thispurpose an arrangement in accordance with the embodiment in accordancewith FIG. 7 is possible. In the circuit setting shown in the drawing aswitch tongue 27, which is moved by the slide 4, 5 is located on thecontact tongue 28 and connects the engine 1 to 1.5 Volts by way ofresistor 29. Engine 1 rotates slowly and the noise producing meansproduces a correspondingly slow and soft idling noise. Also in this casethe start up circuitry described with reference to FIG. 5 in relation tocomponents 21, 24 may be provided.

If the switch tongue 27 is on contact tongue 29, the engine is connectedto the total 1.5 volt potential of the batteries 17. The noise producedis higher in frequency and louder in sound strength. The combustionengine runs at normal speed." In the change-over of the terminal tongue27 to the contact tongue 30, the engine is in series with the twobatteries 17 and thus is supplied with a potential of 3 Volts. Theplaying child is given the impression that his motor vehicle is runningat maximum speed."

The illusion of the roaring of an internal combustion engine can also beimproved in that the clapper components are so constituted or are soarranged in the clapper support, that with slow speeds only a part ofthe heaters is operative and only with higher speeds all of them areoperative. The possibility of an embodiment of such a concept isillustrated in FIG. 8. The beater support 9 is provided with two eachclapper elements 11 and 11 of such different size that the elements 11'project further outwardly than the elements 11". Furthermore themembrane 31 is in an inclined position relative to the direction of theslide which is not illustrated in this figure. In the position A of theslide (slow speed) the beater support has imparted to it a slower speedand only the two larger clappers 11 beat against the membrane. In theslide position B however (rapid speed) the speed of the support 9 iscorrespondingly greater and all four clappers 11' and 11" beat againstthe membrane. Therefore, the frequency and the strength of the sound arecorrespondingly higher.

FIG. 9 illustrates schematically in a top view the chassis of a toyvehicle forming the base plate 20 with front wheels 32 and rear wheels33, which are driven by way of a gear 34. The slide member 4 carryingthe imitation of an accelerator pedal 5 is displaceably carried in theguide members 36 of the base plate against the effect of a spring 37. Inthis example the arrangement for changing the speed of the noiseproducing motor 1 in accordance with the example of FIG. 7 isschematically illustrated while the electric leads are omitted. It wouldalso be possible, however, to effect in the same manner by means of aslide 4, S mounted on the base plate of the chassis, the change of thefrequency and the volume of the sound in accordance with the otherembodiments described.

Furthermore FIG. 9 illustrates the electrical contact interrupterarrangement 14, 15. With the door 38 open the contact between members14, 15 is established. However, if the door is closed as indicated at38' the tongue 15' is raised up from tongue 14 and the contact is brokenso that the engine 1 cannot start as indicated by the dot and dashlines.

FIG. 10 shows also in a schematic fragmentary plan view a furthermodification of the invention. Proximate the slide portion 4 a latchlever 39 is disposed for rotation about the pin 40 so that it can swingover the element. This takes place as the slide element is moved forwardin the direction of the arrow, in that cam 41 rocks lever 39 out of theposition drawn in solid lines into the position illustrated in theinterrupted lines. In this position the edge 39' of lever 39 is behindthe protrusion 42 of the slide 4 which in this position is identifled as42'. In this manner the slide 4 is held in position against being pulledback by the spring 27. This is preferably that position in which a softlow frequency noise is produced, i.e. the vehicle engine is idling. Bypressing the slide 4, 5 further forward, noises of higher frequency andstength can be produced. If the door is closed, it swings the lever 39back into the position shown in solid lines and the spring 37 pulls theslide 4, 5 into its initial position in which the engine stands still.

Having how described my invention with reference to the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, what I desire to protect by letters patentis set forth in the appended claims.

I. A toy vehicle equipped with a device operated with an electric motordrive for producing engine noises, said device comprising an adjustingmeans in the form of a slide simulating a gas accelerator pedal mountedin said toy vehicle, an electric motor, and a noise producing deviceactuated by said motor under control of said pedal, said pedal beingoperative to change the frequency and the sound volume of the noiseproduced by said noise producing device, said toy vehicle including adoor and means for actuating and stopping said motor operative inresponse to the closed position of said door to stop said motor.

2. Device in accordancewith claim 1, including a contact breaking deviceassociated with said motor and said door that is closed in response tothe opening of said door.

3. Device in accordance with claim 2, including a battery connected tosaid contact breaking device and a potential reducing resistor incircuit with said motor, whereby said motor is connected to said batteryin response to closing said contact breaking device.

4. Device in accordance with claim 3, including a starting contactpreferably disposed proximate said contact breaking device, operative tobe closed briefly in response to closing said door and supply the fullpotential to said motor.

5. Device in accordance with claim 1, including a latching deviceproximate said door operative in response to the closed position of saiddoor to assume its initial position in which said slide is free.

6. Device in accordance with claim 5, including a friction disc drivenby said motor, a friction-wheel in engagement with said friction discand driven thereby,

a noise producing means driven by said friction wheel, and adjustingmeans operative to set the spacing between said friction wheel and thecenter of said friction disc.

7. Device in accordance with claim 5, including a resistor disposed inthe circuit of said electro-motor and movable for adjustment by saidslide.

8. Device in accordance with claim 5, including a membrane havingcomponents adapted to produce various sounds, clappers operative toactuate membranes, said membranes being adjustable relative to saidclappers and means operative to place different membrane parts inactuating relation to said clappers.

9. Device in accordance with claim 8, including a biasing springassociated with said slide.

10. Device in accordance with claim 5 where said slide is operative toconnect said motor to different potentials.

11. Device in accordance with claim 8, including a clapper supportoperatively connected to said friction wheel and supporting clappers andmeans responsive to low speed of said friction wheel to actuate only apart of said clappers and in response to higher speed to actuate allclappers.

1. A toy vehicle equipped with a device operated with an electric motordrive for producing engine noises, said device comprising an adjustingmeans in the form of a slide simulating a gas accelerator pedal mountedin said toy vehicle, an electric motor, and a noise producing deviceactuated by said motor under control of said pedal, said pedal beingoperative to change the frequency and the sound volume of the noiseproduced by said noise producing device, said toy vehicle including adoor and means for actuating and stopping said motor operative inresponse to the closed position of said door to stop said motor. 2.Device in accordance with claim 1, including a contact breaking deviceassociated with said motor and said door that is closed in response tothe opening of said door.
 3. Device in accordance with claim 2,including a battery connected to said contact breaking device and apotential reducing resistor in circuit with said motor, whereby saidmotor is connected to said battery in response to closing said contactbreaking device.
 4. Device in accordance with claim 3, including astarting contact preferably disposed proximate said contact breakingdevice, operative to be closed briefly in response to closing said doorand supply the full potential to said motor.
 5. Device in accordancewith claim 1, including a latching device proximate said door operativein response to the closed position of said door to assume its initialposition in which said slide is free.
 6. Device in accordance with claim5, including a friction disc driven by said motor, a friction wheel inengagement with said friction disc and driven thereby, a noise producingmeans driven bY said friction wheel, and adjusting means operative toset the spacing between said friction wheel and the center of saidfriction disc.
 7. Device in accordance with claim 5, including aresistor disposed in the circuit of said electro-motor and movable foradjustment by said slide.
 8. Device in accordance with claim 5,including a membrane having components adapted to produce varioussounds, clappers operative to actuate membranes, said membranes beingadjustable relative to said clappers and means operative to placedifferent membrane parts in actuating relation to said clappers. 9.Device in accordance with claim 8, including a biasing spring associatedwith said slide.
 10. Device in accordance with claim 5 where said slideis operative to connect said motor to different potentials.
 11. Devicein accordance with claim 8, including a clapper support operativelyconnected to said friction wheel and supporting clappers and meansresponsive to low speed of said friction wheel to actuate only a part ofsaid clappers and in response to higher speed to actuate all clappers.